Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 August 1901 — HITS AT FIGHTING BOB. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HITS AT FIGHTING BOB.

Ex-Senator Chandler Ask* that the 'Admiral B" t'nn t-Ma-rtinied. Ex-Senator Chandler, once Secretary of the Navy, is playing every card he knows to secure the court-martial of “Fighting Bob” Evans for criticism of the New Hampshire man in “A Sailor’s Log.” The esoSeijator’s determination to press the matter is made ail the stronger because ex-Senator Chandler’s letter to Secretary Long has been ignored by the Secretary of the Navy and Evans. When the letter of protest against Admiral Evans’ language was received it was referred to Evans, but no attention whatever was paid to it, “Fighting Bob,” who did not' care to become involved in a controversy, simply placing the communication on file. Secretary Long, in discussing the,matter, said: “It is simply a tempest in a teapot. It is entirely too trivial to notice. I have no time to devote to such petty things.” Ex-Senator Chandler did not relish the treatment accorded him by the present

head of the Navy Department, and he has been quietly nursing his wrath. After waiting a reasonable time for a reply and not receiving one Mr. Chandler has determined to force the fighting. He believes more deference should be shown him and that a naval officer should be severely disciplined for discourtesy to his former chief. If ex-Senator Chandler fails to get satisfaction from the department he will appeal to Congress, in which body he has many warm friends. Mr. Chandler denounces Admiral Evans’ conduct as “unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.” If the charges should be sustained the offense is one which calls for a court-martial, the extreme punishment being dismissal. It is claimed also by some of Mr. Chandler's friends here that Admiral Evans’ criticism of a former superior officer for official acts Is “conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline.” Such an offense may be punished as a court-martial may direct, the limit being dismissal from the service.

“FIGHTING BOB” EVANS.